I have two, a panasonic, and a 1984 fuji del rey. I'm currently riding the panasonic with components carried over from the fuji, because I fell on my fuji and bent the frame at the seat stays. I used 2x4s and C-clamps to straighten the frame, and I think it's good to go. I mean you can still notice a 's' curvature if you look really hard, but I took to a LBS and they said it was fine.

anyways, I'm going to upgrade my fuji with new brakes, new brake levers, new al rims/tires, and maybe a new al handlebar; basically everything I can do to make it a more modern bike instead of having to spend a lot more to buy a decent bike from bikesdirect. My main concern is fitting a 700c rim on a 27 inch frame. According to sheldon brown, it should be fine for caliper brakes.

So I'm open to suggestions on the various parts that I'm planning to get. I'd like to get the best bang for the buck and try to keep expenses to the minimum. And I'm going to keep the friction shifting, so no need for those index shifters.

brake levers:
brakes (front and back):
rims:
tires:
handlebar:

please help with suggestions, thanks